Repair toy steam engine

I have always wanted to get my toy steam engine working again that I got
many years ago but the whistle/safety valve on top of the tank fell off. I
know how to solder and sweat pipes but am unsure as the best way to try and
repair it and what kind of tool and solder to use and I believe the tank is
chromed. I have a 100 watt solder gun. It is a nice looking toy and I don't
want to damage it if it requires some special tool or technique. Where would
I take something like that to get repaired if I decide not to attempt to
repair it. The manufacturer is Wilesco in Germany and a quick Google search
did not find any repair center. It looks similar to the one in the link
below.--- Steve
http://www.yesteryeartoys.com/cgi-local/toycatalog.cfm?view Ñ0

You might want to try this inquiry on rec.models.railroads and ask for
pointers to a "live steam" group in an area near you. The "live steam"
railroad modeling folks know a lot about fixing stuff like this.
If you can't find such an outfit near you, you might want to google on
"silver solder" or "high temperature solder(s).

I haven't see thepicture yyet, but I would consider glueing (sp?) it.
Maybe it would be better soldered if you were trying to preserve some
antique value but for use, glue is easiert to control and easier to
get a good job. And, you can later take off some glues, and solder
it later, if that ever matters.
I like ambroid cement, removable
5-minute epoxy quick, sticks to a variety of things,
read the labels
30 mintue epoxy
PC-70 really strong, can be applied
even to a dripping
pipe
Elmers white gule good for porous, like wood.
and the big?? brand? of contact cement in the red tube.
the only flexible glues
I know, for cloth, vinyl,
etc.
Remove NOPSAM to email me. Please let
me know if you have posted also.

Nope! These are really well made toy steam engines that actually run. You fill
the boiler with water, and burn a little tray of solid fuel under it to build up
a head of steam. Some people build (or buy) miniature sawmills and other devices
that the steam engine can power. I still have the one I got for Christmas about
45 years ago and I still drag it out every couple of years and fire it up.
Commodore Joe Redcloud

It sounds like a Jensen Steam Engine. Made in Jeannette PA.
They have a website, they will repair yjeir units if you ship them your
steam engine, provided they made it. Or you can buy a new one. My dad
recently got his repaired.
Stretch

check with a local plumber, since they solder copper fittings all the
time, or ask at a local welding shop, since they tend to get all sorts
of custom jobs.
heck even a roofer can probably fix it, provided they do copper roofs
its actually easy, clean both parts of all mating surfaces, apply flux,
which helps clean and prep surfaces. put pieces together clamp if
necessary. probably best to use a propane torch, heat the pieces, only
apply solder once all parts are hot, always apply solder to the parts,
DONT HEAT SOLDER WITH FLAME< HEAT SURFACES, LET SOLDER MELT AND FLOW!
wipe with cloth to smooth it out
there are books about soldering
when done let cool, clean the area thoroughly and enjoy your repair!

Thanks. I was wondering about that. I have done a lot of soldering on
electronics but it has a nickel tank and getting the whistle to stay in
place looks to be a bit of a challenge. I probably will pay someone to do
it. I could buy a new one but it just would not be the same. I always get
to thinking about doing it every time Christmas rolls around. --- Steve

Ah the memories. I want to fire mine up again at age 54. I used to love
running it. I had a wood workshop that I could attach to mine. Mine is about
the same age as yours. My Uncle got it for me after I saw it in the window
at Marshal Fields in downtown Chicago when I was a kid. I took out my Lionel
train the other day that is about the same age and has not been used in more
then 40 years and got it running. It has a motor with replaceable brushes
though I cleaned up the old ones and steel wooled the part of the motor the
brushes contact [can't think of proper name offhand] and oiled the gears to
get it to work like new. --- Steve
wrote:

My sadly long-gone Wilesco was the simple one with the single acting
oscillating cylinder. However the safety valve and whistle on the one in
the photo appear the same as I remember on mine. I'm not sure what you
mean when you say they fell off. They screw into separate openings on the
boiler (which IIRC was brass and either nickel or chrome plated.) Perhaps
you've just lost them? If you cannot find them just order from the maker:
http://www.wilesco.de/wilesco/us/index.html

The filler cap screws in but the whistle just was soldered on. The photo is
not exactly my model but I just wanted to show a picture to make sure those
interested had an idea what I was talking about. Almost all kids today would
not have a clue as to what a toy steam engine is. So sad. Thanks. ---
Steve

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